Allison Henry

Strategic Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector (SSIM-950-0)

This experiential course enables students to better understand and practice the skills required to effectively lead nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Regardless of one's role on staff or board, nonprofit/NGO leaders must use all of the management and leadership tools available to them to create strong vision and strategy, partner with a complex network of stakeholders, oversee diverse financial streams, and focus on growth and innovation to effectively achieve the impact they seek. With turbulent global politics, labor market demands, migrant crises, fears of economic recession, and continued calls for diversity, equity and inclusion, this work is not easy. To prepare, students in this course engage in case discussions, meet seasoned social impact practitioners, and work in small groups to tackle real-world challenges. The course covers theory but emphasizes practical applications of leadership and strategy, illustrating how successful business practices can contribute to increased social impact. Kellogg graduates engage in the social sector in many ways — as senior staff members, board members, volunteers and donors. This course ensures students graduate with the leadership skills necessary to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Field Study (SSIM-498-5)

Field Studies include those opportunities outside of the regular curriculum in which a student is working with an outside company or non-profit organization to address a real-world business challenge for course credit under the oversight of a faculty member.

Field Study (SSIM-498-0)

Advanced Board Governance (GCBF) (SSIM-471-5)

Students will earn .5 credits in Fall, .5 credits in Spring and receive a grade at the end of Spring Quarter.

The Board Fellows program is designed to prepare students for nonprofit board service and civic leadership through a combination of academic coursework, nonprofit board service, and fellowship. The depth of this experiential learning opportunity is unique among business schools. Its purpose is to arm you with foundational knowledge that will further your understanding of how nonprofits are governed, accelerate the impact of your board service, and ultimately prepare you to become a more effective, socially conscious, and civically engaged leader after graduation. Students must apply in the Fall of their first year to become a Board Fellow. Once selected, they will be automatically enrolled in the two required courses: SSIM 453-5 in the first year, SSIM 471 in the second year. In SSIM 471, students dive deeper into topics introduced the previous year, learning from guest speakers and from each other as they offer their own experiences of board service. Topics include diversity, equity, and inclusion, finding your voice in the boardroom, dashboards and performance measurement, differences between nonprofit and corporate board service, and boards after business school. This course meets for a total of ten weeks, split evenly between the Fall quarter and the Spring quarter. This course is a complement to your ex officio board service. You will add value to class discussions by bringing in examples from your board experience, and you will add value to your board by contributing examples from your classroom experience. Key deliverables include a project or projects of substance for your nonprofit partner, a final paper, attendance at board meetings, and three 1:1 check-ins with the Professor.

Board Governance of Non-Profit Organizations (SSIM-455-5)

This five week course is designed to provide students with an understanding of how nonprofit and social impact organizations are governed. It will appeal to students who are likely to engage in board service or to lead a nonprofit or social impact organization. The goal is to help students understand the workings of nonprofit organizations; the roles and responsibilities of boards; and how boards operate. It will focus on the unique aspects of nonprofit/social impact board governance and what comprises an effective board. The course also addresses how organizations and boards move through various stages of growth and development and how nonprofit boards differ from corporate/public boards and where similarities exist in structure, operations and responsibilities. The course will be developed through readings, lectures, cases, discussions and guest speakers. The course will include an individual assignment and two case analyses that can be done individually or as a group. There is no in-class final.

Board Governance of Nonprofit Organizations (GCBF) (SSIM-453-5)

The Board Fellows program is designed to prepare students for nonprofit board service and civic leadership through a combination of academic coursework, nonprofit board service, and fellowship. The depth of this experiential learning opportunity is unique among business schools. Its purpose is to arm you with foundational knowledge that will further your understanding of how nonprofits are governed, accelerate the impact of your board service, and ultimately prepare you to become a more effective, socially conscious, and civically engaged leader after graduation. Students must apply in the Fall of their first year to become a Board Fellow. Once selected, they will be automatically enrolled in the two required courses: SSIM 453-5 in the first year, SSIM 471 in the second year. In SSIM 453-5, students become fluent with the terminology, procedures, and basic operations of nonprofits and board governance. They study the role of a nonprofit board, the responsibilities of a board member, the critical elements of a high-functioning nonprofit, and how to contribute effectively in nonprofit board meetings. During these five weeks, each fellow is matched with a nonprofit partner. The fellow will serve on the board of their nonprofit for the following 15 months. Along the way, each fellow receives 1:1 coaching from the Professor.